A similar thing happened to me coming back from my back by John Wayne
airport one Saturday morning about 8 years ago. Only I was driving a 89
Nissan Sentra and the idiot was driving a really gorgeous, brand new
Chrysler. He wouldn't let me over, I slowed, he slowed. I sped up, he sped
up. Finally, I shifted down and passed him-but not cutting him off. And
signalling. We got to where I had to turn to go home and as I slowed, he
sped up, went around the corner and blocked me. Got out of his car. He had
on one of those Italian jogging suits that's silky and baggy-and I though
"Oh God! He could have a gun under all that silk!" I rolled up the window,
threw the car into reverse and sped around him-he smashed his fists in the
trunk lid-putting two dings into it. Fortunately, there was a cab driver at
the next corner who saw the whole thing and sped up, blocking the idiot and
enabling me to get away. Really scary. I was afraid to go out for a couple
of days.
Another time, I was driving my old spitty to work, down the 405, hardly any
traffic. Just tootling along. I pass a guy in a company car in the slow
lane-we were just about the only two on the freeway. He sped up and cut in
front of me and slammed on his brakes. I braked and swerved into the next
lane (there weren't any other cars-it was about 11am)-and this guy went into
the next lane and then started to 'slalom' back and forth in front of me. I
sped off at the next exit, even though it was about 5 miles from where I had
to get off.
Both times, I was just driving along, minding my own business, signalled
when I had to, obeying the laws.
There are some real nut cases out there!
Laura
p.s.-great car, 70 Caddy!
Vita brevis est: rapide agite, vigore strigate!
----- Original Message -----
From: Banbury, Terrence <Terrence.Banbury@dnr.state.oh.us>
To: Banbury, Terrence <Terrence.Banbury@dnr.state.oh.us>; 'Winnie Olmer'
<who@sover.net>; <Laura.G@141.com>
Cc: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 10:35 AM
Subject: RE: CRASH!-Crazy drivers
> OK; First off. My wife is small and diminutive. But no shrinking
violet.
> Anyway, we drove old, paid-for, but not too beat-up cars while we paid off
> our college loans, started a family, etc. One of my favorites was a 1971
> Caddy Coupe De Ville. One day, well before the recent fixation with road
> rage, Mr. Fullsize Van decides to make a game out of keeping her from
> changing lanes. Speed up, slow down, nothing worked. She finally got
> pissed enough and cut him off BIG time. He jacked his brakes and swerved
to
> avoid being nailed. So, anxious to show his buddies he is that macho man,
> at the next stop light, he gets out of his van and gets in front of the
> Caddy and starts screaming at her. He is, like, taunting her to drive
over
> him. Dumb! She gives it the gas and then steps on the brake quickly,
> leaving about 3" of space between him and a ton of Motown chrome
grillwork!
> I wasn't there but she said that got his attention. He calmly and quickly
> got back in his van, somewhat more pale.
>
> Great car...great wife.
>
> Terry Banbury
> P.S. The Caddy's timing chain broke a quarter of a mile from home one day,
I
> coasted home into the driveway, and that was the end it!
>
> > ----------
> > From: Laura.G@141.com[SMTP:Laura.G@141.com]
> > Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 12:12 PM
> > To: Banbury, Terrence; 'Winnie Olmer'
> > Cc: spitfires@autox.team.net
> > Subject: Re: CRASH!-'79 Spit parts car for sale
> >
> > Ditto, I always drive around with my headlights on.
> >
> > On the other hand, Friday, coming back from lunch, I was signaling to
move
> > over to the exit lane (so as to not have to drive 5 miles out of my way
at
> > 1.79 a gal!) and the S*F*UV would not let me over no matter what I did.
I
> > looked up and saw the driver-and she looked me right in the eye!-and
kept
> > going! I would say that in the area I live in, 8, maybe9 times out of
10,
> > they do see me-we make eye contact, but the drivers here are sooo
arrogant
> > that their attitude is "I have the right, I'm better than you-!@#$ you!"
> >
> > Talking to friends from L.A.-they agree with my assesment of OC drivers.
> >
> > I used to have a Maverick-but I had to get rid of it because people were
> > so
> > rude to me-the moment of realization came when I was trying to exit the
> > freeway and a grey haired 'grandma' -wearing a Chanel suit driving a
Jag
> > Vanden Plas-flipped me the bird!
> >
> > Anyway, I use my headlights, my horn, and I'll yell-Hey!-but some of
these
> > people think they have the god given right to be there, and you don't!
> >
> > Laura G.
> >
> > Vita brevis est: rapide agite, vigore strigate!
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Banbury, Terrence <Terrence.Banbury@dnr.state.oh.us>
> > To: 'Winnie Olmer' <who@sover.net>
> > Cc: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 7:38 AM
> > Subject: RE: CRASH!-'79 Spit parts car for sale
> >
> >
> > >
> > > That seems to be the most often used excuse by poor drivers...."I
didn't
> > see
> > > them!" It is true for motorcycles especially. I drive with my lights
> > on
> > in
> > > the Spit. I might even add a few more up front just to get their
> > attention.
> > > A high mounted (temporary, is possible, I suppose) rear brake light is
a
> > > good idea too. Driving a '60's car in the new millennium is risky
> > > Terry Banbury
> > >
> > > > ----------
> > > > From: Winnie Olmer[SMTP:who@sover.net]
> > > > Reply To: Winnie Olmer
> > > > Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2000 1:44 PM
> > > > To: 'Graham Stretch'
> > > > Cc: 'List Spitfires'; 'List Triumph'
> > > > Subject: RE: CRASH!-'79 Spit parts car for sale
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for the sentiments. Hopefully someone picks up whats left of
> > the
> > > > Spit
> > > > and can give it a second life in another car. It's a strange feeling
> > to
> > > > not
> > > > really bum out about losing the Spit. While I wish I still had it..
> > > > especially so close to Spring... I am simply so thankful to have
come
> > out
> > > > of
> > > > it OK that I'm counting my blessings. It makes me "weak in the
knees"
> > to
> > > > look at how caved in the driver door and windshield are. I have no
> > idea
> > > > how
> > > > I came out with a few cuts and a badly bruised side. Just bruises! I
> > dont
> > > > get it! The "Triumph Gods" wanted me to finish the TR6. It's not my
> > time
> > > > yet. When I can figure out how to get a picture of it on line it
would
> > be
> > > > very sobering to others to take a look. My lesson learned is.. drive
> > with
> > > > my
> > > > lights on at all times!! Just like motorcyclists do to be more
> > visible.
> > In
> > > > all my cars actually. Especially with all the "cell phone while you
> > drive"
> > > > drivers out there. Maybe I'll paint the 6 dayglow tie-dye. Austin
> > Powers
> > > > TR6?
> > > >
> > > > Take care
> > > > Winnie
> > > >
> >
>
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